Utah, Wisconsin Legislatures Convene for Special Sessions

StateTrack’s Cheryl Robins reports that Gov. Gary R. Herbert (R) of Utah and Gov. Scott Walker (R) of Wisconsin have called their respective legislatures back into to the capitals for special sessions. The Utah Legislature convened Wednesday, Oct. 16, a day after Walker called Wisconsin lawmakers back.

The Utah Legislature is considering various actions to offset the effect of the federal government shutdown on state operations. Issues under consideration include the appropriation of state funds to open and operate national parks, authorizing unemployment benefits for furloughed employees, and funding for other obligations occasioned by delays in federal funding. To view a copy of the proclamation, please click here.

Walker called the legislature back into session to consider legislation to cut taxes for property owners by $33 over two years for a typical homeowner, spending down the state surplus by $100 million. Wisconsin ended its 2011-13 budget with a $759.2 million surplus, $89 million higher than expected. The extra surplus is largely due to $71.5 million in higher-than-expected tax revenue. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported that the tax cut proposal would increase the estimated shortfall in the 2015-17 budget to $725 million from $545 million.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved the property tax cut by 28-5, with Democrats arguing that the cut would barely amount to a dollar a month and the funds instead should go into the state’s rainy day fund, which is currently $278.5 million, after a $153.2 million addition in the most recent budget. The Assembly is expected to take up and pass the legislation on Thursday and Walker is expected to sign it shortly afterwards.